On November 9th, 2025, eighteen faculty members and students from the Global Master of Management (MGM) program of Tongji SEM participated in a study visit to the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE).

Under the theme “Empowering the Future with Digital Intelligence and Green Innovation: Exploring the Sustainable Innovation Engines of the Smart Era,” the visit aimed to help students gain an in-depth understanding of global economic and trade trends through on-site exploration and dialogues with leading enterprises. It also sought to broaden their international perspectives and strengthen their ability to integrate theory with practice.

Exploring New Productive Forces, Embracing a Digital and Low-Carbon Future!

During the study tour, international MGM students experienced the CIIE firsthand and engaged in in-depth discussions with global industry leaders, including representatives from Accenture, Siemens, and Michelin. The students gained comprehensive insights into these multinationals’ strategies in China, their digital transformations and their visions for a sustainable future. They learned about everything from the technological foresight of a leading consultancy to the intelligent transformation of an industrial giant and the green innovations of the rubber industry.

The first stop of the group was the Accenture stand, themed around “Reinventing Enterprise Resilience.” Accenture showcased how it builds forward-looking business resilience through “Agentic AI”. During the discussion, Accenture emphasized the strategic importance of co-innovating with enterprises and introduced solutions such as the “AI Refinery” platform, designed to help businesses reengineer processes, boost efficiency, and achieve predictive risk management, accelerated decision-making and breakthrough growth.

The team then visited the Siemens stand. The representatives at the stand interacted warmly with the international students and engaged in efficient exchanges, showcasing how industrial AI is empowering various industries, from automotive manufacturing to chemicals and metallurgy. Siemens and its partners presented over ten products and solutions, jointly outlining a digital, low-carbon industrial landscape. By communicating closely with company representatives, the students reflected on the integration of technology and management, and were inspired in their career planning.

Finally, the team visited the Michelin stand. With the vision of “Sustainability for All”, Michelin presented the students with an in-depth showcase of green innovation, including cutting-edge tyres made of sustainable materials, aircraft tyres that soar through the skies and environmental practices covering the entire product lifecycle. This demonstrated how Michelin, as an industry leader, transforms cutting-edge technology into sustainable development solutions and puts its grand vision into concrete action.

After the visit, Marcel, a German student from the MGM class of 2025, said: “Visiting CIIE gave me a deeper understanding of how multinationals such as Siemens, Accenture and Michelin are driving innovation and adapting their strategies to the rapidly changing Chinese market. I realized that the strong competition in China encourages companies to develop new technologies, focus more on digital transformation and localize their products to meet local needs. It was impressive to see how these global firms combine international expertise with Chinese innovation to shape the future of their industries”.

This visit provided students with an engaging insight into career development prospects. The practices of these three industry leaders — Accenture’s digital blueprint, Siemens’ industrial AI and Michelin’s “Sustainability for All” initiative — collectively outlined a clear path for industrial evolution. Digitalization, intelligence and green development are becoming the core drivers of future development.

Students have gained a profound understanding of the fact that all outstanding enterprises have incorporated technological innovation into their strategy and management, achieving seamless integration of technology, responsibility and business. This experience has broadened their horizons and awakened their professional aspirations, inspiring them to consider how they can drive sustainable development as the next generation by combining innovation with practical application.

About the China International Import Expo (CIIE)

The CIIE is the world’s first national-level exhibition themed around imports. It was announced by President Xi Jinping at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in 2017. The CIIE maintains key global partnerships with organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), and the International Trade Centre (ITC). As the world’s second-largest importer and consumer market, China demonstrates vast potential for global economic growth. The CIIE serves as a platform for countries, regions, and enterprises worldwide to share in this prosperity and opportunity.